Adapter assembly for interconnecting electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and surgical systems thereof

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/017,610, filed Jun. 26, 2014, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use in surgicalsystems. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to adapterassemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanicallyinterconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loadingunits, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanicalsurgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loadingunits to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.

2. Background of Related Art

A number of surgical device manufacturers have developed product lineswith proprietary drive systems for operating and/or manipulatingelectromechanical surgical devices. In many instances theelectromechanical surgical devices include a handle assembly, which isreusable, and disposable loading units and/or single use loading unitsor the like that are selectively connected to the handle assembly priorto use and then disconnected from the handle assembly following use inorder to be disposed of or in some instances sterilized for re-use.

In certain instances, an adapter assembly is used to interconnect anelectromechanical surgical device with any one of a number of surgicalloading units to establish a mechanical and/or electrical connectiontherebetween. Due to the complexity of the adapter assembly and theelectromechanical surgical device, it is important to ensure that allelectrical and mechanical connections therebetween can be easily,reliably and repeatedly accomplished.

Accordingly, a need exists for an adapter assembly that provides arobust way of electromechanically interconnecting with the surgicaldevice.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and toelectrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgicaldevices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems includinghand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies forconnecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanicalsurgical devices.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an adapter assemblyfor selectively interconnecting a surgical loading unit that isconfigured to perform a function and a surgical device that isconfigured to actuate the loading unit, is provided. The loading unitmay include at least one axially translatable drive member, and thesurgical device may include at least one rotatable drive shaft. Theadapter assembly includes a housing configured and adapted forconnection with the surgical device and to be in operative communicationwith each rotatable drive shaft of the surgical device; an outer tubehaving a proximal end supported by the housing and a distal endconfigured and adapted for connection with the loading unit, wherein thedistal end of the outer tube is in operative communication with each ofthe axially translatable drive member of the loading unit; theforce/rotation transmitting/converting assembly for interconnecting arespective one drive shaft of the surgical device and a respective oneaxially translatable drive member of the loading unit; and an electricalassembly supported within at least one of the housing and the outertube. The electrical assembly includes a proximal electrical assemblyand a distal electrical assembly. The proximal electrical assembly isconfigured to electrically communicate with the surgical device. Theproximal electrical assembly is rotatably fixed with respect to thesurgical device, and the proximal electrical assembly includes aplurality of electrical contact rings disposed around a slip ring. Thedistal electrical assembly is disposed in electrical communication withthe loading unit, and is rotatable with respect to the proximalelectrical assembly. The distal electrical assembly includes a pluralityof electrical contacts disposed in mechanical cooperation with a contacthousing. Each electrical contact is configured to contact and maintainan electrical connection with one of the plurality of electrical contactrings of the proximal electrical assembly during rotation of the distalelectrical assembly with respect to the proximal electrical assembly.

In disclosed embodiments, each electrical contact of the distalelectrical assembly is curved along at least a majority of its length.It is further disclosed that each electrical contact of the distalelectrical assembly includes a continuous curve in a first direction,and the plurality of electrical contact rings of the proximal electricalassembly are curved in a second direction. Here, the first and seconddirections are opposite from each other.

It is further disclosed that each electrical contact of the distalelectrical assembly includes a leg and a foot, with the leg extendingfrom the contact housing, and the foot extending at an angle from theleg. A portion of the foot configured to contact one of the plurality ofelectrical contact rings. The angle is between about 100° and about160°.

The present disclosure also includes embodiments where each electricalcontact of the distal electrical assembly includes a leg and two feet.The leg extends from the contact housing, each foot extends at an anglefrom the leg in opposite directions, and a portion of each foot isconfigured to contact one of the plurality of electrical contact rings.The angle is between about 100° and about 160°.

In disclosed embodiments, each electrical contact of the distalelectrical assembly includes a leg, an ankle and an arcuate foot. Theleg extends from the contact housing, the ankle extends at a first anglefrom the leg, and the arcuate foot extends at a second angle from theankle. At least two portions of the arcuate foot are configured tocontact one of the plurality of electrical contact rings. The firstangle is between about 150° and about 175°, and the second angle isbetween about 10° and about 60°. Here, it is further disclosed that thearcuate foot includes a radius of curvature that is less than or equalto a radius of curvature of the plurality of electrical contact rings.

It is further disclosed that each electrical contact of the distalelectrical assembly includes a leg, two feet extending from the leg inan opposite directions, and a flexible contact extending between the twofeet. At least a portion of the flexible contact is configured tocontact one of the plurality of electrical contact rings. Here, it isdisclosed that the flexible contact is movable with respect to at leastone foot.

In disclosed embodiments, each electrical contact of the distalelectrical assembly includes a leg and a ring. The leg extends from thecontact housing, and the ring extends from the leg. The ring isconfigured to contact one of the plurality of electrical contact ringsin an arc of greater than 180°. Here, it is disclosed that the ringforms between about 180° and about 360° of a circle.

The present disclosure also includes embodiments where the contacthousing includes a proximal leg configured to engage a proximal-mostedge of the slip ring, and a distal leg configured to engage adistal-most edge of the slip ring. Here, it is disclosed that each legof the contact housing includes a stepped portion. At least part of thestepped portion is configured to engage a radially-outermost portion ofthe slip ring.

In disclosed embodiments, the distal electrical assembly furtherincludes a guide configured to help maintain a position of the contacthousing with respect to the slip ring. Here, it is disclosed that theguide is configured to help maintain a longitudinal position and aradial position of the contact housing with respect to the slip ring. Itis further disclosed that the guide includes an opening for receiving atleast a portion of the contact housing therein, and that the guideincludes a flexible member for extending between a pair of projectionsof the contact housing and for abutting a radially-outer surface of atleast one of the projections of the contact housing. Additionally,embodiments disclose that the guide includes a first post extendingadjacent a first portion of the opening for extending between a pair ofprojections of the contact housing, and that the guide includes a secondpost extending adjacent a second portion of the opening for engaging aportion of the contact housing. The first portion and the second portionare on opposite sides of the opening. The disclosure also includes thatthe contact housing includes at least one projection, and that the guideincludes at least one flexible tab for engaging a radially-outer surfaceof the at least one projection of the contact housing. Further, it isdisclosed that the contact housing includes at least two projections,and that the guide includes at least two flexible tabs. Each flexibletab is configured to engage a radially-outer surface of one of the atleast two projections of the contact housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an adapter assembly, in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure, interconnected between anexemplary electromechanical surgical device and an end effectorassembly;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view illustrating an attachment of a proximalend of the adapter assembly to a distal end of the electromechanicalsurgical device;

FIG. 2A is a front, perspective view of the adapter assembly of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a rear, perspective view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the adapter assembly of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 4 is a side, elevational view of the adapter assembly of FIGS. 2Aand 2B;

FIG. 5 is a rear, perspective view of the adapter assembly of FIGS. 2Aand 2B, with some parts thereof separated;

FIG. 6 is a rear, perspective view of the adapter assembly of FIGS. 2Aand 2B, with most parts thereof separated;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an articulation assembly of the adapterassembly of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, perspective view, with parts separated, of thearticulation assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the articulation assembly of FIG. 7,shown in a first orientation;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the articulation assembly of FIG. 7,shown in a second orientation;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view as taken along section line 11-11 ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of an electrical assembly of the adapterassembly of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the electrical assembly of FIG. 12Ashowing a connector housing separated from a circuit board;

FIG. 12C is a perspective view of the connector housing of FIG. 12B;

FIG. 12D is a perspective view of an electrical contact pin of theconnector housing of FIGS. 12B-12C;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the electrical assembly of FIG. 12shown connected to the core housing of the adapter assembly of FIGS. 2Aand 2B;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view as taken along section line 14-14 ofFIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a slip ring cannula or sleeve of theadapter assembly of FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 2B,illustrating an inner housing assembly of the adapter assembly of FIGS.2A and 2B;

FIG. 17 is a rear, perspective view of the inner housing assembly ofFIG. 16 with an outer knob housing half-section and a proximal capremoved therefrom;

FIG. 18 is a rear, perspective view of the inner housing assembly ofFIG. 16 with the outer knob housing, the proximal cap and a bushingplate removed therefrom;

FIG. 19 is a rear, perspective view of the inner housing assembly ofFIG. 16 with the outer knob housing, the proximal cap, the bushing plateand an inner housing removed therefrom;

FIG. 20 is a rear, perspective view of the an alternative embodiment ofinner housing assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 16 with the outerknob housing and the proximal inner housing removed therefrom;

FIG. 21 is a rear, perspective view of the inner housing assembly ofFIG. 20 with the outer knob housing, the proximal inner housing and thearticulation assembly removed therefrom;

FIG. 22 is a front, perspective view of the inner housing assembly ofFIG. 20 with the outer knob housing, the proximal inner housing and thearticulation assembly removed therefrom;

FIG. 23 is a front, perspective view of the inner housing assembly ofFIG. 20 with the outer knob housing and the proximal inner housingremoved therefrom;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view as taken along section line 24-24 ofFIG. 2B;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 24,illustrating a lock button being actuated in a proximal direction;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view as taken along section line 27-27 ofFIG. 2B;

FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view as taken along section line 27-27 ofFIG. 2B, illustrating actuation of the articulation assembly in a distaldirection;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view as taken along section line 29-29 ofFIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view as taken along section line 30-30 ofFIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view as taken along section line 31-31 ofFIG. 28;

FIG. 32 is a rear, perspective view of a proximal inner housing hubaccording to the present disclosure;

FIG. 33 is a front, perspective view of the proximal inner housing hubof FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a front, perspective view of the proximal inner housing hubof FIGS. 32 and 33 illustrating a first and a second force/rotationtransmitting/converting assembly and a reinforcing assembly associatedtherewith;

FIG. 35 is a front, perspective view of a plate bushing of the proximalinner housing assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 36 is a rear, perspective view of the plate bushing of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a rear, perspective view of the proximal inner housingassembly illustrating the plate bushing of FIGS. 35 and 36 attachedthereto;

FIG. 38 is a rear, perspective view of the proximal inner housingassembly of FIG. 37 with connector sleeves removed therefrom;

FIG. 39 is a rear, perspective view of the proximal inner housingassembly of FIG. 37 with connector sleeves removed therefrom and theplate bushing shown in phantom;

FIG. 40 is a rear, perspective view of the proximal inner housingassembly of FIG. 37 with connector sleeves removed therefrom;

FIG. 41 is a rear, perspective of the inner housing assembly of FIG. 37illustrating a support plate, according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure, coupled thereto;

FIG. 42 is a rear, perspective of the inner housing assembly of FIG. 41with the support plate removed therefrom;

FIG. 43 is a front, perspective view of an inner housing assemblyaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure with the outerknob housing, the proximal inner housing removed therefrom;

FIG. 44 is a rear, perspective view of the inner housing assembly ofFIG. 43 with the outer knob housing, the proximal inner housing and thearticulation assembly removed therefrom;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a bracket assembly of the inner housingassembly of FIGS. 43 and 44;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a reinforcing sleeve for use with theinner housing assembly of FIGS. 43 and 44;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the inner housing assembly of FIGS. 43and 44, illustrating the reinforcing sleeve of FIG. 46 supportedthereon;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of an exemplaryloading unit for use with the surgical device and the adapter of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of an adapter assembly in accordance withthe present disclosure with several features shown in phantom;

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of proximal and distal electricalassemblies of the adapter assembly of FIG. 49;

FIG. 51 is an enlarged view of the area of detail indicated in FIG. 50showing engagement between the proximal and distal electrical assembliesof FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the distal electrical assembly of FIGS.49 and 50;

FIG. 53 is an enlarged view of the area of detail indicated in FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a perspective view illustrating the engagement betweenportions of the proximal and distal electrical assemblies of FIGS.49-53;

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the portion of the distal electricalassembly shown in FIG. 54;

FIGS. 56A-60A are side views of the proximal electrical assembly andvarious embodiments of the portion of the distal electrical assemblythat engages the proximal electrical assembly;

FIGS. 56B-60B are perspective views of FIGS. 56A-60A, respectively;

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of a guide in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 62 is a perspective view of a portion of the surgical device of thepresent disclosure including the guide of FIG. 61;

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of a guide in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 64 is a perspective view of a portion of the surgical device of thepresent disclosure including the guide of FIG. 63;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of a portion of a guide in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 66 is a perspective view of a portion of the surgical device of thepresent disclosure including the guide of FIG. 65;

FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a portion of a guide in accordance withanother embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 68 is a perspective view of a portion of the surgical device of thepresent disclosure including the guide of FIG. 67;

FIG. 69 is a perspective view of a housing in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of a portion of the surgical device of thepresent disclosure including the housing of FIG. 69 engaged with theguide of FIG. 60;

FIG. 71 is a perspective view of a guide in accordance with yet anotherembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 72 is a perspective view of a portion of the surgical device of thepresent disclosure including the guide of FIG. 71;

FIG. 73 is a perspective view of a portion of a guide in accordance withstill another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 74 is a perspective view of a portion of the surgical device of thepresent disclosure including the guide of FIG. 73;

FIG. 75 is a perspective view of a spacer of the surgical device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 76A and 76B are perspective views of a slip ring contact holderfor use with the spacer of FIG. 75 in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 77 and 78 are perspective views of the slip ring contact holder ofFIGS. 76A and 76B engaged with the spacer of FIG. 75;

FIG. 79 is a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment of a slip ringcontact holder engaged with the spacer of FIG. 75;

FIG. 80 is a perspective view of a slip ring cannula in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 81 is a perspective view of the slip ring cannula of FIG. 80 shownover an outer tube of the adapter assembly;

FIGS. 82 and 83 are perspective views of the slip ring cannula of FIGS.80 and 81 shown over the outer tube of the adapter assembly and engagedwith a portion of the inner housing assembly;

FIG. 84 is a perspective view of a portion of the adapter assemblyincluding an alternate embodiment of a slip ring contact holder inaccordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 85 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter assembly including theslip ring contact holder of FIG. 84.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical devices, adapterassemblies, and loading unit detection assemblies for surgical devicesand/or handle assemblies are described in detail with reference to thedrawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical orcorresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein theterm “distal” refers to that portion of the adapter assembly or surgicaldevice, or component thereof, farther from the user, while the term“proximal” refers to that portion of the adapter assembly or surgicaldevice, or component thereof, closer to the user.

A surgical device, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, is generally designated as 100, and is in the form of apowered hand held electromechanical instrument configured for selectiveattachment thereto of a plurality of different end effectors that areeach configured for actuation and manipulation by the powered hand heldelectromechanical surgical instrument.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, surgical device 100 is configured forselective connection with an adapter assembly 200, and, in turn, adapterassembly 200 is configured for selective connection with a loading unit300 (e.g., an end effector, or multiple- or single-use loading unit; seeFIG. 48). Surgical device 100 and adapter assembly 200, together, maycomprise an electromechanical surgical system that is configured andadapted to selectively connect with a loading unit 300 and to actuateloading unit 300.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, surgical device 100 includes a handlehousing 102 including a circuit board (not shown), and a drive mechanism(not shown) is situated therein. The circuit board is configured tocontrol the various operations of surgical device 100. Handle housing102 defines a cavity therein (not shown) for selective removable receiptof a rechargeable battery (not shown) therein. The battery is configuredto supply power to any of the electrical components of surgical device100.

Handle housing 102 includes an upper housing portion 102 a which housesvarious components of surgical device 100, and a lower hand grip portion102 b extending from upper housing portion 102 a. Lower hand gripportion 102 b may be disposed distally of a proximal-most end of upperhousing portion 102 a. The location of lower housing portion 102 brelative to upper housing portion 102 a is selected to balance a weightof a surgical device 100 that it is connected to or supporting adapterassembly 200 and/or end effector 300.

Handle housing 102 provides a housing in which the drive mechanism issituated. The drive mechanism is configured to drive shafts and/or gearcomponents in order to perform the various operations of surgical device100. In particular, the drive mechanism is configured to drive shaftsand/or gear components in order to selectively move a tool assembly 304of loading unit 300 (see FIGS. 1A and 48) relative to a proximal bodyportion 302 of loading unit 300, to rotate loading unit 300 about alongitudinal axis “X” (see FIG. 1A) relative to handle housing 102, tomove/approximate an anvil assembly 306 and/or a cartridge assembly 308of loading unit 300 relative to one another, and/or to fire a staplingand cutting cartridge within cartridge assembly 308 of loading unit 300.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, handle housing 102 defines a connectingportion 108 configured to accept a corresponding drive coupling assembly210 of adapter assembly 200. Specifically, connecting portion 108 ofsurgical device 100 has a recess 108 a that receives a proximal cap 210a (FIGS. 5 and 6) of drive coupling assembly 210 of adapter assembly 200when adapter assembly 200 is mated to surgical device 100. Connectingportion 108 houses three rotatable drive connectors 118, 120, 122 whichare arranged in a common plane or line with one another.

When adapter assembly 200 is mated to surgical device 100, each ofrotatable drive connectors 118, 120, 122 of surgical device 100 coupleswith a corresponding rotatable connector sleeve 218, 220, 222 of adapterassembly 200 (see FIG. 1B). In this regard, the interface betweencorresponding first drive connector 118 and first connector sleeve 218,the interface between corresponding second drive connector 120 andsecond connector sleeve 220, and the interface between correspondingthird drive connector 122 and third connector sleeve 222 are keyed suchthat rotation of each of drive connectors 118, 120, 122 of surgicaldevice 100 causes a corresponding rotation of the correspondingconnector sleeve 218, 220, 222 of adapter assembly 200.

The mating of drive connectors 118, 120, 122 of surgical device 100 withconnector sleeves 218, 220, 222 of adapter assembly 200 allowsrotational forces to be independently transmitted via each of the threerespective connector interfaces. The drive connectors 118, 120, 122 ofsurgical device 100 are configured to be independently rotated by thedrive mechanism of surgical device 100. In this regard, a functionselection module (not shown) of the drive mechanism selects which driveconnector or connectors 118, 120, 122 of surgical device 100 is to bedriven by the motor of surgical device 100.

Since each of drive connectors 118, 120, 122 of surgical device 100 hasa keyed and/or substantially non-rotatable interface with respectiveconnector sleeves 218, 220, 222 of adapter assembly 200, when adapterassembly 200 is coupled to surgical device 100, rotational force(s) areselectively transferred from drive connectors of surgical device 100 toadapter assembly 200.

The selective rotation of drive connector(s) 118, 120 and/or 122 ofsurgical device 100 allows surgical device 100 to selectively actuatedifferent functions of loading unit 300. For example, selective andindependent rotation of first drive connector 118 of surgical device 100corresponds to the selective and independent opening and closing of toolassembly 304 of loading unit 300, and driving of a stapling/cuttingcomponent of tool assembly 304 of loading unit 300. As an additionalexample, the selective and independent rotation of second driveconnector 120 of surgical device 100 corresponds to the selective andindependent articulation of tool assembly 304 of loading unit 300transverse to longitudinal axis “X” (see FIG. 1A). Additionally, forinstance, the selective and independent rotation of third driveconnector 122 of surgical device 100 corresponds to the selective andindependent rotation of loading unit 300 about longitudinal axis “X”(see FIG. 1A) relative to handle housing 102 of surgical device 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, handle housing 102 supports a plurality offinger-actuated control buttons, rocker devices and the like foractivating various functions of surgical device 100.

Reference may be made to International Application No.PCT/US2008/077249, filed Sep. 22, 2008 (Inter. Pub. No. WO 2009/039506)and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/622,827, filed on Nov. 20, 2009,the entire content of each of which being incorporated herein byreference, for a detailed description of various internal components ofand operation of exemplary electromechanical, hand-held, poweredsurgical instrument 100.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1B-2B, adapter assembly 200 includesan outer knob housing 202 and an outer tube 206 extending from a distalend of knob housing 202. Knob housing 202 and outer tube 206 areconfigured and dimensioned to house the components of adapter assembly200. Outer tube 206 is dimensioned for endoscopic insertion, inparticular, outer tube 206 is passable through a typical trocar port,cannula or the like. Knob housing 202 is dimensioned to not enter thetrocar port, cannula of the like. Knob housing 202 is configured andadapted to connect to connecting portion 108 of handle housing 102 ofsurgical device 100.

Adapter assembly 200 is configured to convert a rotation of either ofdrive connectors 118, 120 and 122 of surgical device 100 into axialtranslation useful for operating a drive assembly 360 and anarticulation link 366 of loading unit 300, as illustrated in FIG. 48 andas will be described in greater detail below. As illustrated in FIGS. 5,6, 13, 14, 17, 18, 20, 25-34 and 37-40, adapter assembly 200 includes aproximal inner housing assembly 204 rotatably supporting a firstrotatable proximal drive shaft 212, a second rotatable proximal driveshaft 214, and a third rotatable proximal drive shaft 216 therein. Eachproximal drive shaft 212, 214, 216 functions as a rotation receivingmember to receive rotational forces from respective drive shafts ofsurgical device 100, as described in greater detail below.

As described briefly above, inner housing assembly 210 of shaft assembly200 is also configured to rotatably support first, second and thirdconnector sleeves 218, 220 and 222, respectively, arranged in a commonplane or line with one another. Each of connector sleeves 218, 220, 222is configured to mate with respective first, second and third driveconnectors 118, 120, 122 of surgical device 100, as described above.Each of connector sleeves 218, 220, 222 is further configured to matewith a proximal end of respective first, second and third proximal driveshafts 212, 214, 216.

Inner housing assembly 210 also includes, as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 17,27 and 28, a first, a second and a third biasing member 224, 226 and 228disposed distally of respective first, second and third connectorsleeves 218, 220, 222. Each of biasing members 224, 226 and 228 isdisposed about respective first, second and third rotatable proximaldrive shaft 212, 214 and 216. Biasing members 224, 226 and 228 act onrespective connector sleeves 218, 220 and 222 to help maintain connectorsleeves 218, 220 and 222 engaged with the distal end of respective driverotatable drive connectors 118, 120, 122 of surgical device 100 whenadapter assembly 200 is connected to surgical device 100.

In particular, first, second and third biasing members 224, 226 and 228function to bias respective connector sleeves 218, 220 and 222 in aproximal direction. In this manner, during assembly of adapter assembly200 to surgical device 100, if first, second and or third connectorsleeves 218, 220 and/or 222 is/are misaligned with the drive connectors118, 120, 122 of surgical device 100, first, second and/or third biasingmember(s) 224, 226 and/or 228 are compressed. Thus, when surgical device100 is operated, drive connectors 118, 120, 122 of surgical device 100will rotate and first, second and/or third biasing member(s) 224, 226and/or 228 will cause respective first, second and/or third connectorsleeve(s) 218, 220 and/or 222 to slide back proximally, effectivelycoupling drive connectors 118, 120, 122 of surgical device 100 to first,second and/or third proximal drive shaft(s) 212, 214 and 216 of innerhousing assembly 210.

Adapter assembly 200 includes a plurality of force/rotationtransmitting/converting assemblies, each disposed within inner housingassembly 204 and outer tube 206. Each force/rotationtransmitting/converting assembly is configured and adapted totransmit/convert a speed/force of rotation (e.g., increase or decrease)of first, second and third rotatable drive connectors 118, 120 and 122of surgical instrument 100 before transmission of such rotationalspeed/force to loading unit 300.

Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 6, adapter assembly 200 includes afirst, a second and a third force/rotation transmitting/convertingassembly 240, 250, 260, respectively, disposed within inner housing 208and outer tube 206. Each force/rotation transmitting/converting assembly240, 250, 260 is configured and adapted to transmit or convert arotation of a first, second and third drive connector 118, 120, 122 ofsurgical device 100 into axial translation of articulation bar 258 ofadapter assembly 200, to effectuate articulation of loading unit 300; arotation of a ring gear 266 of adapter assembly 200, to effectuaterotation of adapter assembly 200; or axial translation of a distal drivemember 248 of adapter assembly 200 to effectuate closing, opening andfiring of loading unit 300.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 24-31, first force/rotationtransmitting/converting assembly 240 includes first rotatable proximaldrive shaft 212, which, as described above, is rotatably supportedwithin inner housing assembly 204. First rotatable proximal drive shaft212 includes a non-circular or shaped proximal end portion configuredfor connection with first connector 218 which is connected to respectivefirst connector 118 of surgical device 100. First rotatable proximaldrive shaft 212 includes a distal end portion 212 b having a threadedouter profile or surface.

First force/rotation transmitting/converting assembly 240 furtherincludes a drive coupling nut 244 rotatably coupled to threaded distalend portion 212 b of first rotatable proximal drive shaft 212, and whichis slidably disposed within outer tube 206. Drive coupling nut 244 isslidably keyed within proximal core tube portion of outer tube 206 so asto be prevented from rotation as first rotatable proximal drive shaft212 is rotated. In this manner, as first rotatable proximal drive shaft212 is rotated, drive coupling nut 244 is translated along threadeddistal end portion 212 b of first rotatable proximal drive shaft 212and, in turn, through and/or along outer tube 206.

First force/rotation transmitting/converting assembly 240 furtherincludes a distal drive member 248 that is mechanically engaged withdrive coupling nut 244, such that axial movement of drive coupling nut244 results in a corresponding amount of axial movement of distal drivemember 248. The distal end portion of distal drive member 248 supports aconnection member 247 configured and dimensioned for selectiveengagement with a drive member 374 of drive assembly 360 of loading unit300 (FIG. 48). Drive coupling nut 244 and/or distal drive member 248function as a force transmitting member to components of loading unit300, as described in greater detail below.

In operation, as first rotatable proximal drive shaft 212 is rotated,due to a rotation of first connector sleeve 218, as a result of therotation of the first respective drive connector 118 of surgical device100, drive coupling nut 244 is caused to be translated axially alongfirst distal drive shaft 242. As drive coupling nut 244 is caused to betranslated axially along first distal drive shaft 242, distal drivemember 248 is caused to be translated axially relative to outer tube206. As distal drive member 248 is translated axially, with connectionmember 247 connected thereto and engaged with drive member 374 of driveassembly 360 of loading unit 300 (FIG. 48), distal drive member 248causes concomitant axial translation of drive member 374 of loading unit300 to effectuate a closure of tool assembly 304 and a firing of toolassembly 304 of loading unit 300.

With reference to FIGS. 5-11, 19 and 23-31, second drive converterassembly 250 of adapter assembly 200 includes second proximal driveshaft 214 rotatably supported within inner housing assembly 204. Secondrotatable proximal drive shaft 214 includes a non-circular or shapedproximal end portion configured for connection with second connector orcoupler 220 which is connected to respective second connector 120 ofsurgical device 100. Second rotatable proximal drive shaft 214 furtherincludes a distal end portion 214 b having a threaded outer profile orsurface.

Distal end portion 214 b of proximal drive shaft 214 is threadablyengaged with an articulation bearing housing 252 a of an articulationbearing assembly 252. Articulation bearing assembly 252 includes ahousing 252 a supporting an articulation bearing 253 having an innerrace 253 b that is independently rotatable relative to an outer race 253a. Articulation bearing housing 252 a has a non-circular outer profile,for example tear-dropped shaped, that is slidably and non-rotatablydisposed within a complementary bore 204 c (FIGS. 25, 26, 29 and 33) ofinner housing hub 204 a.

Second drive converter assembly 250 of adapter assembly 200 furtherincludes an articulation bar 258 having a proximal portion 258 a securedto inner race 253 b of articulation bearing 253. A distal portion 258 bof articulation bar 258 includes a slot 258 c therein, which isconfigured to accept a portion 366, e.g., a flag, articulation link(FIG. 48) of loading unit 300. Articulation bar 258 functions as a forcetransmitting member to components of loading unit 300, as described ingreater detail below.

With further regard to articulation bearing assembly 252, articulationbearing assembly 252 is both rotatable and longitudinally translatable.Additionally, it is envisioned that articulation bearing assembly 252allows for free, unimpeded rotational movement of loading unit 300 whenits jaw members 306, 308 are in an approximated position and/or when jawmembers 306, 308 are articulated (FIG. 48).

In operation, as second proximal drive shaft 214 is rotated due to arotation of second connector sleeve 220, as a result of the rotation ofthe second drive connector 120 of surgical device 100, articulationbearing assembly 252 is caused to be translated axially along threadeddistal end portion 214 b of second proximal drive shaft 214, which inturn causes articulation bar 258 to be axially translated relative toouter tube 206. As articulation bar 258 is translated axially,articulation bar 258, being coupled to articulation link 366 of loadingunit 300, causes concomitant axial translation of articulation link 366of loading unit 300 to effectuate an articulation of tool assembly 304(FIG. 48). Articulation bar 258 is secured to inner race 253 b ofarticulation bearing 253 and is thus free to rotate about thelongitudinal axis X-X relative to outer race 253 a of articulationbearing 253.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 17, 18, 20-23, 25-28, 31 and 37-40 and asmentioned above, adapter assembly 200 includes a third force/rotationtransmitting/converting assembly 260 supported in inner housing assembly204. Third force/rotation transmitting/converting assembly 260 includesa rotation ring gear 266 fixedly supported in and connected to outerknob housing 202. Ring gear 266 defines an internal array of gear teeth266 a (FIG. 6). Ring gear 266 includes a pair of diametrically opposed,radially extending protrusions 266 b (FIG. 6) projecting from an outeredge thereof. Protrusions 266 b are disposed within recesses defined inouter knob housing 202, such that rotation of ring gear 266 results inrotation of outer knob housing 202, and vice a versa.

Third force/rotation transmitting/converting assembly 260 furtherincludes third rotatable proximal drive shaft 216 which, as describedabove, is rotatably supported within inner housing assembly 204. Thirdrotatable proximal drive shaft 216 includes a non-circular or shapedproximal end portion configured for connection with third connector 222which is connected to respective third connector 122 of surgical device100. Third rotatable proximal drive shaft 216 includes a spur gear 216 akeyed to a distal end thereof. A reversing spur gear 264 inter-engagesspur gear 216 a of third rotatable proximal drive shaft 216 to gearteeth 266 a of ring gear 266.

In operation, as third rotatable proximal drive shaft 216 is rotated,due to a rotation of third connector sleeve 222, as a result of therotation of the third drive connector 122 of surgical device 100, spurgear 216 a of third rotatable proximal drive shaft 216 engages reversinggear 264 causing reversing gear 264 to rotate. As reversing gear 264rotates, ring gear 266 also rotates thereby causing outer knob housing202 to rotate. As outer knob housing 202 is rotated, outer tube 206 iscaused to be rotated about longitudinal axis “X” of adapter assembly200. As outer tube 206 is rotated, loading unit 300, that is connectedto a distal end portion of adapter assembly 200, is also caused to berotated about a longitudinal axis of adapter assembly 200.

Adapter assembly 200 further includes, as seen in FIGS. 1B, 3-5, 16, 17,20 and 24-26, an attachment/detachment button 272 supported thereon.Specifically, button 272 is supported on drive coupling assembly 210 ofadapter assembly 200 and is biased by a biasing member 274 to anun-actuated condition. Button 272 includes lip or ledge 272 a formedtherewith that is configured to snap behind a corresponding lip or ledge108 b defined along recess 108 a of connecting portion 108 of surgicaldevice 100. In use, when adapter assembly 200 is connected to surgicaldevice 100, lip 272 a of button 272 is disposed behind lip 108 b ofconnecting portion 108 of surgical device 100 to secure and retainadapter assembly 200 and surgical device 100 with one another. In orderto permit disconnection of adapter assembly 200 and surgical device 100from one another, button 272 is depresses or actuated, against the biasof biasing member 274, to disengage lip 272 a of button 272 and lip 108b of connecting portion 108 of surgical device 100.

With reference to FIGS. 1A, 2A, 2B, 3-5 and 24-26, adapter assembly 200further includes a lock mechanism 280 for fixing the axial position andradial orientation of distal drive member 248. Lock mechanism 280includes a button 282 slidably supported on outer knob housing 202. Lockbutton 282 is connected to an actuation bar 284 that extendslongitudinally through outer tube 206. Actuation bar 284 moves upon amovement of lock button 282. Upon a predetermined amount of movement oflock button 282, a distal end of actuation bar 284 may move into contactwith a lock out (not shown), which causes the lock out to cam a cammingmember 288 (FIG. 24) from a recess 249 in distal drive member 248. Whencamming member 288 is in engagement with recess 249 (e.g., at leastpartially within recess 249, see FIGS. 6 and 24), the engagement betweencamming member 288 and distal drive member 248 effectively locks theaxial and rotational position of end effector 300 that is engaged withconnection member 247.

In operation, in order to lock the position and/or orientation of distaldrive member 248, a user moves lock button 282 from a distal position toa proximal position (FIGS. 25 and 26), thereby causing the lock out (notshown) to move proximally such that a distal face of the lock out movesout of contact with camming member 288, which causes camming member 288to cam into recess 249 of distal drive member 248. In this manner,distal drive member 248 is prevented from distal and/or proximalmovement. When lock button 282 is moved from the proximal position tothe distal position, the distal end of actuation bar 284 moves distallyinto the lock out, against the bias of a biasing member (not shown), toforce camming member 288 out of recess 249, thereby allowing unimpededaxial translation and radial movement of distal drive member 248.

Reference may be made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/875,571,filed on May 2, 2013, the entire content of which is incorporated hereinby reference, for a more detailed discussion of the construction andoperation of lock mechanism 280.

With reference to FIGS. 1B, 6, 12A-15 and 25-28, adapter assembly 200includes a proximal electrical assembly 290 supported on and in outerknob housing 202 and inner housing assembly 204. Proximal electricalassembly 290 includes an electrical connector 292 supported on a circuitboard 294, for electrical connection to a corresponding electrical plug190 disposed in connecting portion 108 of surgical device 100.

With particular reference to FIGS. 12A-12D, electrical connector 292includes a plurality of electrical contact pins 293 and a housing orconnector housing 295. Electrical contact pins 293 serve to allow forcalibration and communication of life-cycle information to the circuitboard of surgical device 100 via electrical plugs 190 that areelectrically connected to the circuit board (not shown) of surgicaldevice 100.

Each electrical contact pin 293 includes a distal portion 293 a and aproximal portion 293 b. Distal portion 293 a of each contact pin 293 isconfigured to engage circuit board 294, e.g., via soldering. Proximalportion 293 b of each contact pin 293 is configured to releasably engagecorresponding electrical plug 190 disposed in connecting portion 108 ofsurgical device 100. With continued reference to FIGS. 12A-12D, distalportion 293 a of each electrical contact pin 293 is tapered tofacilitate insertion into holes 294 a (FIG. 12B) of circuit board 294.Proximal portion 293 b of each electrical contact pin 293 includes arectangular cross-section, and is tapered and chamfered to facilitateengagement and disengagement with electrical plug 190.

Additionally, each electrical contact pin 293 includes a hole 293 cextending laterally therethrough. Hole 293 c is configured to facilitatethe connection between electrical contact pins 293 and housing 295. Itis envisioned that housing 295 is over-molded, such that portions of theover-mold extend through holes 293 c in electrical contact pins 293. Ascan be appreciated, the engagement between electrical contact pins 293and housing 295 helps maintain proper alignment of pins 293 to furtherfacilitate engagement between electrical connector 292 and circuit board294 and electrical plug 190, and to further facilitate engagementbetween electrical connector 292 and electrical plug 190. While sevenelectrical contact pins 293 are shown, it is envisioned that more orfewer electrical contact pins 293 are included with proximal electricalassembly 290.

With continued reference to FIGS. 12A-12D, housing 295 of electricalconnector 292 includes a rectangular cross-section. The rectangularcross-section of housing 295 is configured to mate with a rectangularopening of proximal cap 210 a (FIGS. 5 and 6) of drive coupling assembly210 to prevent radial movement therebetween.

Housing 295 also includes a plurality of projections 297 extendingtherefrom. Projections 297 each include a distal face 297 a and aproximal face 297 b. Distal face 297 a of each projection 297 isconfigured and positioned to contact circuit board 294 during insertionof electrical connector 292. Thus, distal face 297 a of each projection297 prevents electrical contact pins 293 of electrical connector 292from being inserted too far distally into holes 294 a of circuit board294. While distal face 297 a of each projection 297 is illustrated asbeing flush with a distal face 295 a of housing 295 (FIG. 12D), it isenvisioned that distal face 297 a of each projection 297 is positionedfarther proximally or distally than distal face 295 a of housing 295.Proximal face 297 b of each projection 297 is configured and positionedto prevent disengagement between electrical connector 292 and circuitboard 294, e.g., during disengagement between surgical device 100 andadapter assembly 200. More particularly, the proximal cap 210 ofproximal electrical assembly 290 is configured to abut proximal face 297b of at least one or all projections 297, thus preventing proximalmovement of electrical connector 292 with respect to circuit board 294.In the illustrated embodiment, two projections 297 extend from a firstsurface 295 b of housing 295, and two projections 297 extend from asecond surface 295 c of housing 295. However, housing 295 may includemore or fewer projections 297.

Proximal electrical assembly 290 further includes a strain gauge 296electrically connected to circuit board 294. Strain gauge 296 isprovided with a notch 296 a which is configured and adapted to receivestem 204 d of hub 204 a of inner housing assembly 204. Stem 204 d of hub204 a functions to restrict rotational movement of strain gauge 296. Asillustrated in FIGS. 25-28, first rotatable proximal drive shaft 212extends through strain gauge 296. Strain gauge 296 provides aclosed-loop feedback to a firing/clamping load exhibited by firstrotatable proximal drive shaft 212.

Proximal electrical assembly 290 also includes a slip ring 298 disposedwithin outer tube 206. Slip ring 298 is in electrical connection withcircuit board 294 via a plurality of proximal wires 299. Slip ring 298functions to permit rotation of first rotatable proximal drive shaft 212and axial translation of drive coupling nut 244 while still maintainingelectrical contact between electrical contact rings 298 a thereof and adistal electrical assembly 400 (see FIGS. 49-55) within adapter assembly200, and while permitting the other electrical components to rotateabout first rotatable proximal drive shaft 212 and drive coupling nut244

Turning now to FIGS. 6, 11, 14, 32 and 33, inner housing assembly 204has been designed to reduce incidents of racking of second proximaldrive shaft 214 as drive shaft 214 rotates to axially translatearticulation bearing assembly 252. Inner housing assembly 204 includes ahub 204 a having a distally oriented annular wall 204 b defining asubstantially circular outer profile, and defining a substantiallytear-drop shaped inner recess or bore 204 c. Bore 204 c of hub 204 a isshaped and dimensioned to slidably receive articulation bearing assembly252 therewithin.

Inner housing assembly 204 includes a ring plate 254 a (FIG. 34) securedto a distal face of distally oriented annular wall 204 b of hub 204 a.Plate 254 a defines an aperture 254 e therethrough that is sized andformed therein so as to be aligned with second proximal drive shaft 214and to rotatably receive a distal tip 214 c of second proximal driveshaft 214. In this manner, distal tip 214 c of second proximal driveshaft 214 is supported and prevented from moving radially away from alongitudinal rotational axis of second proximal drive shaft 214 assecond proximal drive shaft 214 is rotated to axially translatearticulation bearing assembly 252.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14, 32, 39 and 40, hub 204 a defines a feature(e.g., a stem or the like) 204 d projecting therefrom which functions toengage notch 296 a of strain gauge 296 of proximal electrical assembly290 to measure forces experienced by shaft 212 as surgical device 100 isoperated.

With reference to FIGS. 35-40, a plate bushing 230 of inner housingassembly 204 is shown and described. Plate bushing 230 extends acrosshub 204 a of inner housing assembly 204 and is secured to hub 204 a byfastening members. Plate bushing 230 defines three apertures 230 a, 230b, 230 c that are aligned with and rotatably receive respective first,second and third proximal drive shafts 212, 214, 216 therein. Platebushing 230 provides a surface against which first, second and thirdbiasing members 224, 226 and 228 come into contact or rest against.

While plate bushing 230 has been shown and described as being a unitarymonolithic piece, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 37-40, it is envisionedand within the scope of the present application that plate bushing 230may be separated into several parts including, and not limited to, asseen in FIGS. 40-42, a support plate 230′ extending across drive shafts212, 214, 216, and a separate bushing for each of drive shafts 212, 214,216 and disposed between the support plate 230′ and hub 204 a of innerhousing assembly 204. Support plate 230′ may include a pair of slots 230a′, 230 b′ formed therein, which are configured and adapted to receivetabs 296 b of strain gauge 296 that project axially therefrom.

Turning now to FIGS. 43-47, an inner housing assembly 204′ according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure is shown and will bedescribed. In order to reduce incidents of racking (i.e., distal end 214b of second proximal drive shaft 214 moving radially away from alongitudinal rotational axis thereof) of second proximal drive shaft 214as drive shaft 214 rotates to axially translate articulation bearingassembly 252, inner housing assembly 204′ may include a reinforcementframe or bracket assembly 254′. Bracket assembly 254′ includes a firstplate 254 a′ and a second plate 254 b′ integrally connected to andspaced a distance from first plate 254 a′ by a plurality of connectingrods 254 c′ extending therebetween.

First plate 254 a′ is disposed adjacent to or in close proximity to ringgear 266 and defines an aperture 254 d′ therethrough. Aperture 254 d′ issized and formed in first plate 254 a′ so as to be aligned with secondproximal drive shaft 214 and to permit second proximal drive shaft 214to freely rotate therewithin. Second plate 254 b′ is spaced from firstplate 254 a′ so as to be disposed at a distal free end of secondproximal drive shaft 214. Second plate 254 b′ defines an aperture 254 e′therethrough. Aperture 254 e′ is sized and formed in second plate orflange 254 b′ so as to be aligned with second proximal drive shaft 214and to rotatably receive a distal tip 214 c of second proximal driveshaft 214.

In this manner, distal tip 214 c of second proximal drive shaft 214 issupported and prevented from moving radially away from a longitudinalrotational axis of second proximal drive shaft 214 as second proximaldrive shaft 214 is rotated to axially translate articulation bearingassembly 252.

As illustrated in FIGS. 38, 46 and 47, inner housing assembly 204′ mayinclude a reinforcing sleeve 255′ disposed about bracket assembly 254′to further reinforce bracket assembly 254′. It is contemplated in anembodiment that reinforcing sleeve 255′ may be interposed between firstplate 254 a′ and second plate 254 b′ of bracket assembly 254′. It isfurther contemplated that reinforcing sleeve 255′ may be interposedbetween second plate 254 b′ and a distally oriented face of proximalinner housing assembly 204′.

With particular reference to FIGS. 49-60B, further details andembodiments of proximal electrical assembly 290, distal electricalassembly 400, and the engagement therebetween are illustrated. Proximalelectrical assembly 290 and distal electrical assembly 400 areconfigured to permit rotation of outer tube 206 of adapter assembly 200with respect to handle housing 102 (FIG. 1A), while maintainingelectrical contact between proximal electrical assembly 290 and distalelectrical assembly 400.

With reference to FIGS. 52 and 53, distal electrical assembly 400 isshown and includes a contact housing or housing 410, a plurality ofelectrical contacts 420 extending from housing 410, and a plurality ofwires 430 which electrically connect electrical contacts 420 with distalportions of force/rotation transmitting/converting assemblies 240, 250,260. For example, a first electrical contact 422 is connected to firstforce/rotation transmitting/converting assembly 240 via a first wire 430a, a second electrical contact 424 is connected to second force/rotationtransmitting/converting assembly 250 via a second wire 430 b, and athird electrical contact 426 is connected to third force/rotationtransmitting/converting assembly 250 via a third wire 430 c.Additionally, wires 430 include a first portion 432 which extends from aradially outer portion 412 of housing 410 in a curved manner and in adirection that is generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis “X.” Asecond portion 434 of each wire 430 is electrically coupled to firstportion 432 of wires 430 and extends generally distally andlongitudinally therefrom.

With particular reference to FIGS. 54 and 55, a radially inner portion414 of housing 410 includes a pair of legs 416. Each leg 416 includes acurved portion 418 that is configured to mirror the curvature of slipring 298. Additionally, each leg 416 includes a curved stepped portion419. Housing 410 and slip ring 298 are dimensioned and configured suchthat slip ring 298 is positionable on a surface 419 a of steppedportions 419 and between sidewalls 419 b of stepped portions 419. Thisarrangement helps housing 410 maintain contact with slip ring 298 duringrotation therebetween, for example.

With continued reference to FIGS. 54 and 55, a plurality of electricalcontacts 420 is shown extending from housing 410. Each electricalcontact 420 is configured to engage a single electrical contact ring 298a of slip ring 298 (FIG. 54) to transmit electrical signals from thatelectrical contact ring 298 a to a respective wire 430 of distalelectrical assembly 400. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 54 and 55, forexample, electrical contacts 420 extend in a cantilevered manner fromhousing 410 and are curved along a majority of their lengths. Further,the curvature of electrical contacts 420 is opposite from the curvatureof slip ring 298 and is opposite from the curvature of curved portion418 and stepped portion 419 of each leg 416 of housing 410.Additionally, each electrical contact 420 is configured to flex to helpmaintain contact with electrical contact rings 298 a of slip ring 298upon rotation therebetween, for example. Further, the curvature ofelectrical contacts 420 enables uninterrupted contact between electricalcontacts 420 and electrical contact rings 298 a upon rotation of housing410 in either direction (i.e., clockwise and counter-clockwise) withrespect to slip ring 298.

Referring now to FIGS. 56A-60B, other embodiments of electrical contacts420 are shown. In FIGS. 56A-60B, portions of slip ring 298 and/orelectrical contact rings 298 a are omitted and/or out of scale forclarity purposes. FIGS. 56A and 56B illustrate electrical contacts 420 awhich include a leg 422 a and a foot 424 a. Each of leg 422 a and foot424 a is generally linear. Foot 424 a extends from leg 422 a at an angleα_(a). It is envisioned that angle α_(a) is between about 100° and about160°, or equal to about 135°. In this embodiment, an electricalconnection is made at one location “EC1” where foot 424 a contactselectrical contact ring 298 a.

With reference to FIGS. 57A and 57B, another embodiment of an electricalcontact 420 b is shown. Each electrical contact 420 b includes a pair oflegs 422 b, and a foot 424 b extending from each leg 422 b such thateach foot 424 b extends in an opposite direction from the other foot 424b. It is also envisioned that each electrical contact 420 b includes asingle leg 422 b with two feet 424 b extending therefrom in oppositedirections. Each foot 424 b extends from its respective leg 422 b at anangle α_(b). It is envisioned that angle α_(b) is between about 100° andabout 160°, or equal to about 135°. It is further envisioned that eachfoot 424 b extends from its respective leg 422 b at the same angle asthe opposite foot 424 b or at a different angle from the opposite foot424 b. In this embodiment, an electrical connection is made at twolocations “EC1” and “EC2”—one where each foot 424 b contacts electricalcontact ring 298 a. EC1 and EC2 provide redundant contacts to maintainelectrical connections, for instance due to imperfection in surface 298a.

With reference to FIGS. 58A and 58B, another embodiment of an electricalcontact 420 c is shown. Electrical contact 420 c includes a leg 422 c,an ankle 423 c, and a foot 424 c. Ankle 423 c extends from leg 422 c ata first angle α_(c1), and foot 424 c extends from ankle 423 c at asecond angle α_(c2). It is envisioned that first angle α_(c1) is betweenabout 150° and about 175°, or equal to about 165°. And it is envisionedthat second angle α_(c2) is between about 10° and about 60°, or equal toabout 30°. Additionally, foot 424 c is curved along its length, e.g.,its entire length. It is envisioned that the curvature of foot 424 c isequal to or greater than the curvature of electrical contact rings 298 aand/or slip ring 298. In this embodiment where the curvature of foot 424c is greater than the curvature of electrical contact ring 298 a (FIG.58 a), an electrical connection is made at two locations “EC1” and“EC2”—one where each foot 424 c contacts electrical contact ring 298 a.In this embodiment, the foot 424 c opens and conforms to ring 298 amaintaining multiple points of contact.

Referring to FIGS. 59A and 59B, another embodiment of an electricalcontact 420 d is shown. Electrical contact 420 d includes a yoke 422 dincluding two legs 424 d, and a flexible contact 426 d spanning betweenlegs 424 d. Each leg 424 d of yoke 422 d includes an opening 425 dconfigured to allow a portion of flexible contact 426 d to extendtherethrough. Flexible contact 426 d includes an elongated portion 427 dwith an enlarged portion 428 d at each end thereof. Elongated portion427 d of flexible contact 426 d includes a smaller dimension thanopening 425 d of leg 424 d, thus allowing elongated portion 427 d toextend through openings 425 d. Enlarged portions 428 d of flexiblecontact 426 d include a larger dimension than opening 425 d of leg 424d, thus preventing enlarged portions 428 d from being able to extendthrough openings 425 d. Accordingly, flexible contact 426 d ismaintained between legs 424 d of yoke 422 d. In this embodiment, anelectrical connection is made at one location “EC1” where flexiblecontact 426 d contacts electrical contact ring 298 a. Additionally, itis envisioned that since flexible contact 426 d has the ability to flexwith respect to yoke 422 d, electrical contact 420 d enables tolerancesof electrical contact 420 d and/or slip ring 298 to be reduced.

With reference to FIGS. 60A and 60B, another embodiment of an electricalcontact 420 e is shown. Electrical contact 420 e includes a leg 422 eand a ring 424 e extending therefrom. Ring 424 e is configured to wrapat least partially around electrical contact ring 298 a, and to haveapproximately the same radius of curvature of electrical contact ring298 a along at least a portion of its length, thus maintaining aninfinite amount of electrical connections therebetween. It is envisionedthat ring 424 e and electrical contact ring 298 a contact each other forgreater than 180°. It is further envisioned that ring 424 e formsbetween about 180° and about 360° of a circle. In embodiments where ring424 e forms greater than about 180° of a circle, it is disclosed thatring 424 e is flexible enough to flex a sufficient amount duringassembly to allow ring 424 e to be installed on electrical contact ring298 a. That is, it is disclosed that a first end 425 e of ring 424 e anda second end 426 e of ring 424 e can be separated by a distance that isgreater than the diameter of electrical contact ring 298 a.

Referring now to FIGS. 61-74, various embodiments of a guide 500 areshown. Generally, guide 500 is configured to help maintain engagementbetween housing 410 and slip ring 298 during assembly. In each of theembodiments, guide 500 includes a holder portion 510 and a spacer 550.Spacer 550 is immovably affixed to holder portion 510 and extendsdistally therefrom. Spacer 550 is configured to maintain slip ring 298 apredetermined distance proximally from slip ring cannula 700.Additionally, spacer 550 includes a plurality of arcuate, longitudinalpassageways 552 which are configured to allow the plurality of wires 430to pass therethrough.

With particular reference to FIGS. 61 and 62, a first embodiment of aguide is shown and is indicated as reference character 500. A holderportion 510 of guide 500 includes a rectangular aperture 512 extendingtherethrough. As shown in FIG. 62, rectangular aperture 512 isconfigured to allow a portion of housing 410 to extend therethrough. Forinstance, it is envisioned that legs 416 (obscured from view in FIG. 62)of housing 410 are insertable through rectangular aperture 512, and thata ledge 417 (see FIG. 54) of housing 410 abuts holder portion 510, thuspreventing additional insertion of housing 410 through rectangularaperture 512. The perimeter of rectangular aperture 512 is slightlylarger than the perimeter of the portion of housing 410 that extendstherethrough, thus enabling a friction fit engagement therebetween.

Referring to FIGS. 63 and 64, another embodiment of a guide is shown andis referenced by character 500 a. A holder portion 510 a of guide 500 aincludes a rectangular aperture 512 a extending therethrough.Additionally, holder portion 510 a of guide 500 a includes a flexibletee 520 a extending adjacent rectangular aperture 512 a and extendingradially away from the longitudinal axis “X.” Flexible tee 520 aincludes a shaft 522 a and crown 530 a. A first portion 524 a of shaft522 a is flared and is in contact with remainder of holder portion 510a, and a second portion 526 a of shaft 522 a engages crown 530 a.

As shown in FIG. 64, rectangular aperture 512 a is configured to allow aportion of housing 410 to extend therethrough. For instance, it isenvisioned that legs 416 of housing 410 are insertable throughrectangular aperture 512 a, and that ledge 417 (see FIG. 54) of housing410 abuts holder portion 510 a, thus preventing additional insertion ofhousing 410 through rectangular aperture 512 a. To further maintainguide 500 a in contact with housing 410, shaft 522 a of flexible tee 520a is configured to extend between a pair of projections 415 of housing410, and crown 530 a is configured to abut a radially-outer surface 415a of projections 415 (see FIG. 54). During installation between guide500 a and housing 410, flexible tee 520 a is configured to flex awayfrom housing 410 to allow housing 410 to be partially inserted intorectangular aperture 512 a of holder portion 510 a. Subsequently,flexible tee 520 a is configured to return to its non-flexed position tothe location shown in FIG. 64.

With reference to FIGS. 65 and 66, another embodiment of a guide isshown and is referred to by reference character 500 b. A holder portion510 b of guide 500 b includes a rectangular aperture 512 b extendingtherethrough. Additionally, holder portion 510 b of guide 500 b includesa post 520 b extending adjacent rectangular aperture 512 b and extendingradially away from the longitudinal axis “X.” In disclosed embodiments,post 520 b includes a plurality of ribs 524 b extending along an innersurface 522 b of post 520 b and extending radially away from thelongitudinal axis “X.”

As shown in FIG. 66, rectangular aperture 512 b is configured to allow aportion of housing 410 to extend therethrough. For instance, it isenvisioned that legs 416 of housing 410 are insertable throughrectangular aperture 512 c, and that ledge 417 (see FIG. 54) of housing410 abuts holder portion 510 b, thus preventing additional insertion ofhousing 410 through rectangular aperture 512 b. To further maintainguide 500 b in contact with housing 410, post 520 b of holder portion510 b is configured to extend between pair of projections 415 of housing410 (see FIG. 54). Additionally, ribs 524 b on post 520 b are designedto be crushed during installation between guide 500 b and housing 410,thus providing an increased frictional engagement therebetween.

With reference to FIGS. 67-68, another embodiment of a guide is shownand is referred to by reference character 500 c. A holder portion 510 cof guide 500 c includes a rectangular aperture 512 c extendingtherethrough. Additionally, holder portion 510 c of guide 500 c includesa first post 520 c and a second post 530 c extending adjacentrectangular aperture 512 c and extending radially away from thelongitudinal axis “X.” In disclosed embodiments, at least one of firstpost 520 c and second post 530 c includes a plurality of ribs 524 c, 534c extending along an inner surface 522 c, 532 c of the respective firstpost 520 c and/or second post 530 c, and extending radially away fromthe longitudinal axis “X.”

As shown in FIG. 68, rectangular aperture 512 c is configured to allow aportion of housing 410 to extend therethrough. For instance, it isenvisioned that legs 416 of housing 410 are insertable throughrectangular aperture 512 c, and that ledge 417 (see FIG. 54) of housing410 abuts holder portion 510 c, thus preventing additional insertion ofhousing 410 through rectangular aperture 512 c. To further maintainguide 500 c in contact with housing 410, first post 520 c of holderportion 510 c is configured to extend between the pair of projections415 of housing 410 (see FIG. 54), and second post 530 c is configured toabut a rear wall 411 of housing 410 (see FIG. 55). Additionally, ribs524 c, 534 c on first post 520 c and/or second post 530 c, respectively,are designed to be crushed during installation between guide 500 c andhousing 410, thus providing an increased frictional engagementtherebetween.

With reference to FIGS. 69 and 70, a second embodiment of housing 410 ais shown, which is configured to engage first embodiment of guide 500(FIG. 70). As discussed above, holder portion 510 of guide 500 includesa rectangular aperture 512 extending therethrough. Rectangular aperture512 is configured to allow a portion of housing 410 a to extendtherethrough. For instance, it is envisioned that legs 416 a of housing410 a are insertable through rectangular aperture 512, and that a ledge417 a (see ledge 417 in FIG. 54) of housing 410 a abuts holder portion510, thus preventing additional insertion of housing 410 a throughrectangular aperture 512. The perimeter of rectangular aperture 512 isslightly larger than the perimeter of the portion of housing 410 a thatextends therethrough, thus enabling a friction fit engagementtherebetween. Additionally, housing 410 a includes a plurality of ribs414 a extending along at least one lateral side 413 a of housing 410 a.Ribs 414 a are designed to fill any voids between lateral sides 413 a ofhousing 410 a and guide 500 to increase frictional engagementtherebetween.

With reference to FIGS. 71-72, another embodiment of a guide is shownand is referred to by reference character 500 d. A holder portion 510 dof guide 500 d includes a rectangular aperture 512 d extendingtherethrough. Additionally, holder portion 510 d of guide 500 d includesa first flexible tab 520 d and a second flexible tab 530 d extendingadjacent rectangular aperture 512 d and extending radially away from thelongitudinal axis “X.” In the illustrated embodiment, each of firstflexible tab 520 d and second flexible tab 530 d includes a one-wayratchet tooth 524 d, 534 d, respectively, thereon.

As shown in FIG. 72, rectangular aperture 512 d is configured to allow aportion of housing 410 to extend therethrough. For instance, it isenvisioned that legs 416 of housing 410 are insertable throughrectangular aperture 512 d, and that ledge 417 (see FIG. 54) of housing410 abuts holder portion 510 d, thus preventing additional insertion ofhousing 410 through rectangular aperture 512 d. To further maintainguide 500 d in contact with housing 410, ratchet teeth 524 d, 534 d offirst and second flexible tabs 520 d, 530 d, respectively, areconfigured to engage radially-outer surfaces 415 a of projections 415(see FIGS. 54 and 72). During installation between guide 500 d andhousing 410, flexible tabs 520 d and 530 d are configured to flex awayfrom housing 410 in response to engagement between ratchet teeth 524 d,534 d and ledge 417 to allow housing 410 to be partially inserted intorectangular aperture 512 d of holder portion 510 d. Subsequently,flexible tabs 520 d and 530 d are configured to return to theirnon-flexed position to the location shown in FIG. 72.

With reference to FIGS. 73-74, another embodiment of a guide is shownand is referred to by reference character 500 e. A holder portion 510 eof guide 500 e includes a rectangular aperture 512 e extendingtherethrough. Additionally, holder portion 510 e of guide 500 e includesa flexible tab 520 e extending adjacent rectangular aperture 512 e andextending radially away from the longitudinal axis “X.” In theillustrated embodiment, flexible tab 520 e includes a one-way ratchettooth 524 e thereon.

As shown in FIG. 74, rectangular aperture 512 e is configured to allow aportion of housing 410 to extend therethrough. For instance, it isenvisioned that legs 416 of housing 410 are insertable throughrectangular aperture 512 e, and that ledge 417 (see FIG. 54) of housing410 abuts holder portion 510 e, thus preventing additional insertion ofhousing 410 through rectangular aperture 512 e. To further maintainguide 500 e in contact with housing 410, ratchet tooth 524 e of flexibletab 520 e is configured to engage radially-outer surfaces 415 a ofprojections 415 (see FIGS. 54 and 74). During installation between guide500 e and housing 410, flexible tab 520 e is configured to flex awayfrom housing 410 in response to engagement between ratchet tooth 524 eand ledge 417 to allow housing 410 to be partially inserted intorectangular aperture 512 e of holder portion 510 e. Subsequently,flexible tab 520 e is configured to return to its non-flexed position tothe location shown in FIG. 74.

Referring now to FIGS. 75-79, a spacer 600 and a slip ring contactholder 650 are shown in accordance with disclosed embodiments.Generally, spacer 600 and slip ring contact holder 650 are configuredfor mechanical engagement with one another and are configured to helpmaintain engagement between housing slip ring contact holder 650 andslip ring 298 during assembly. Further, in this embodiment, slip ringcontact holder 650 combines some features of housings 410, 410 a andguides 500-500 e of previous embodiments. That is, in the embodimentsdisclosed in FIGS. 75-79, only one feature (i.e., slip ring contactholder 650) is necessary instead of two features (i.e., housing 410, 410a and guides 500-500 e).

With reference to FIG. 75, spacer 600 is configured to maintain slipring 298 a predetermined distance proximally from slip ring cannula 700.Additionally, spacer 600 includes an arcuate, longitudinal passageway602, and a pair of slots 604. Passageway 602 is configured to allow theplurality of wires 430 (see FIG. 53) to pass therethrough, and each slot604 is configured to mechanically engage one of two arms 660 of slipring contact holder 650 for coupling spacer 600 and slip ring contactholder 650 (see FIGS. 76A and 76B).

Referring now to FIGS. 76A and 76B, slip ring contact holder 650includes a body portion 670 and two arms 660 extending longitudinallytherefrom. Body portion 670 is generally C-shaped and houses or isconfigured to house a plurality of contacts 680 a, 680 b, 680 c therein.Body portion 670 is configured to be positioned over slip ring 298 suchthat each contact 680 a, 680 b, 680 c engages a single contact ring 298a of slip ring 298. Additionally, body portion 670 is rotatable aboutthe longitudinal axis “X” with respect to slip ring 298, thus permittingrotation therebetween while maintaining electrical contact therebetween.

With continued reference to FIGS. 76A and 76B, slip ring contact holder650 also includes apertures 672 a, 672 b, 672 c extending through bodypotion 670. Apertures 672 a, 672 b, 672 c are each configured to allowone extension portion 682 a, 682 b, 682 c (see FIG. 77) of contacts 680a, 680 b, 680 c, respectively to pass therethrough. Each extensionportion 682 a, 682 b, 682 c is configured to electrically connect to oneof wires 430 a, 430 b, 430 c (see FIG. 53) to electrically connectcontacts 680 a, 680 b, 680 c with distal portions of force/rotationtransmitting/converting assemblies 240, 250, 260.

Additionally, slip ring contact holder 650 includes alignment tabs 690a, 690 b, 690 c, 690 d configured to engage proximal and distal walls ofslip ring 298, and help maintain contact with slip ring 298 duringrotation of slip ring contact holder 650, for example.

With particular reference to FIGS. 77-79, spacer 600 and slip ringcontact holder 650 are shown mechanically engaged. Here, each of the twoarms 660 of slip ring contact holder 650 are mated with one slot 604 ofspacer 600, thus mechanically coupling spacer 600 and slip ring contactholder 650. It is envisioned that a user can separate spacer 600 fromslip ring contact holder 650 by forcing arms 660 toward body portion 670and out of slots 604. Additionally, the embodiment of slip ring contactholder 650 illustrated in FIG. 79 includes a post 692 extending radiallyoutwardly from body portion 670. It is envisioned that post 692 isconfigured to engage an inner wall of core tube 207 to help maintainproper radial and/or axial alignment therebetween, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 80-85, various embodiments of a sleeve orslip ring cannula 700, 700 a, 700 b are shown. In general, slip ringcannula 700, 700 a, 700 b is included as a part of proximal electricalassembly 290 and is positioned on a portion of core tube 207 to protectand/or shield wires 299 extending between slip ring 298 and circuitboard 294.

With particular reference to FIG. 15, slip ring cannula 700 includes abase portion 702, a longitudinal slit 710, a longitudinal wire track720, a radially-extending post 730 adjacent a proximal portion of baseportion 702, and a finger 740 extending proximally from aradially-outward portion of post 730. Referring now to FIG. 15 whichillustrates slip ring cannula 700, and FIGS. 84-85 which show adifferent embodiment of a slip ring cannula 700 b, longitudinal slit 710is formed in base portion 702 and is configured to facilitate assemblybetween slip ring cannula 700 and a core tube 207 (see FIGS. 82 and 83)of outer tube 206 (see FIG. 2A). Wire track 720 extends along baseportion 702 radially opposite from longitudinal slit 710 and provides apath for wires 299 to extend within slip ring cannula 700 and betweenslip ring 298 and circuit board 294. Post 730 is configured to abut aninner wall of hub 204 a of inner housing assembly 204 to maintain theradial position of slip ring cannula 700 with respect to housingassembly 204. Finger 740 is configured such that when slip ring cannula700 is engaged with housing assembly 204, hooks 742 of finger 740 hookaround a proximal wall 205 of housing assembly 204 to maintain thelongitudinal position of slip ring cannula 700 with respect to housingassembly 204 (see FIG. 85).

Turning now to FIGS. 80-83, another embodiment of a slip ring cannula700 a is illustrated. Slip ring cannula 700 a includes a disc-like baseportion 702 a, a slit 710 a extending radially outward from a centralaperture 704 a, a wire track 720 a, and a pair of flexible tabs 730 aextending proximally from an outer periphery of base portion 702 a. Slipring cannula 700 a is configured such that core tube 207 extends throughcentral aperture 704 a. As shown with particular regard to FIGS. 81 and83, wires 299 extend through wire track 720 a as wires 299 extendbetween slip ring 298 and circuit board 294 (see FIG. 12A, for example).Each flexible tab 730 a includes a one-way ratchet 732 a which isconfigured to engage a radial wall 204 e of hub 204 a (see FIG. 82).Engagement between flexible tabs 730 a and radial wall 204 e of hub 204a provides linear stabilization of slip ring cannula 700 a with respectto housing assembly 204. Engagement between radially outward surfaces734 a of flexible tabs 730 a and radial wall 204 e of hub 204 a providesradial stabilization of slip ring cannula 700 a with respect to housingassembly 204.

With reference to FIGS. 84 and 85, a third embodiment of slip ringcannula 700 b is shown. Slip ring cannula 700 b is similar to slip ringcannula 700, discussed above with reference to FIG. 15, but alsoincludes a proximal passageway 744 b and a distal passageway 746 bextending through finger 740 b. Proximal and distal passageways 744 b,746 b are configured to allow wires 299 and/or a cable to be threadedtherethrough, as shown in FIGS. 84 and 85. It is envisioned that tofacilitate assembling proximal electrical assembly 290 b around hub 204a of housing assembly 204, an extra length 299 a of wires 299 would behelpful. This extra length 299 a of wires 299 would then be directedwithin adapter assembly 200 after circuit board 294 and strain gauge 296(see FIG. 12A) have been assembled. As shown in FIG. 85, extra length299 a of wires 299 are able to fit radially outward of proximal wall 205of hub 204 a of housing assembly 204.

As can be appreciated, each embodiment of slip ring cannula 700, 700 aand 700 b, when assembled, will hold wires 299 taut in a linear mannerwith respect to slip ring 298, and will prevent articulation bearingassembly 252 (FIG. 25) from contacting wires 299. It is furtherenvisioned that wires 299 are made from a material that is elasticand/or autoclavable. It is envisioned that these stretchable wires 299are assembled over slip ring 298 in a first, non-stretched position.These wires 299 would then stretch toward a second position when slipring 298 is assembled onto core tube 207. Here, wires 299 would be thinenough as to not interfere with articulation bearing assembly 252.

In operation, when a button of surgical device 100 is activated by theuser, the software checks predefined conditions. If conditions are met,the software controls the motors and delivers mechanical drive to theattached surgical stapler, which can then open, close, rotate,articulate or fire depending on the function of the pressed button. Thesoftware also provides feedback to the user by turning colored lights onor off in a defined manner to indicate the status of surgical device100, adapter assembly 200 and/or loading unit 300.

Reference may be made to U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0314821, filedon Aug. 31, 2009, entitled “TOOL ASSEMBLY FOR A SURGICAL STAPLINGDEVICE” for a detailed discussion of the construction and operation ofloading unit 300, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 48.

Any of the components described herein may be fabricated from eithermetals, plastics, resins, composites or the like taking intoconsideration strength, durability, wearability, weight, resistance tocorrosion, ease of manufacturing, cost of manufacturing, and the like.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to theembodiments of the presently disclosed adapter assemblies. Therefore,the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely asexemplifications of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envisionother modifications within the scope and spirit of the presentdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adapter assembly for selectivelyinterconnecting a surgical loading unit that is configured to perform afunction and a surgical device that is configured to actuate the loadingunit, the loading unit including an axially translatable drive member,and the surgical device including a rotatable drive shaft, the adapterassembly comprising: a housing configured and adapted for connectionwith the surgical device and to be in operative communication with eachrotatable drive shaft of the surgical device; an outer tube having aproximal end supported by the housing and a distal end configured andadapted for connection with the loading unit, wherein the distal end ofthe outer tube is in operative communication with each of the at leastone axially translatable drive member of the loading unit; at least oneforce/rotation transmitting/converting assembly for interconnecting arespective one drive shaft of the surgical device and a respective oneaxially translatable drive member of the loading unit; and an electricalassembly supported at least partially within at least one of the housingand the outer tube, the electrical assembly including: a proximalelectrical assembly configured to electrically communicate with thesurgical device, the proximal electrical assembly being rotatably fixedwith respect to the surgical device, the proximal electrical assemblyincluding a plurality of electrical contact rings disposed around a slipring; and a distal electrical assembly disposed in electricalcommunication with the loading unit, the distal electrical assemblybeing rotatable with respect to the proximal electrical assembly, thedistal electrical assembly including a plurality of electrical contactsdisposed in mechanical cooperation with a contact housing, eachelectrical contact configured to contact and maintain an electricalconnection with one of the plurality of electrical contact rings of theproximal electrical assembly during rotation of the distal electricalassembly with respect to the proximal electrical assembly.
 2. Theadapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein each electrical contactof the distal electrical assembly is curved along at least a majority ofits length.
 3. The adapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein eachelectrical contact of the distal electrical assembly includes acontinuous curve in a first direction, and wherein the plurality ofelectrical contact rings of the proximal electrical assembly are curvedin a second direction, the first and second directions being oppositefrom each other.
 4. The adapter assembly according to claim 1, whereineach electrical contact of the distal electrical assembly includes a legand a foot, the leg extending from the contact housing, the footextending at an angle from the leg, a portion of the foot configured tocontact one of the plurality of electrical contact rings, wherein theangle is between about 100° and about 160°.
 5. The adapter assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein each electrical contact of the distalelectrical assembly includes a leg and two feet, the leg extending fromthe contact housing, each foot extending at an angle from the leg inopposite directions, a portion of each foot configured to contact one ofthe plurality of electrical contact rings, wherein the angle is betweenabout 100° and about 160°.
 6. The adapter assembly according to claim 1,wherein each electrical contact of the distal electrical assemblyincludes a leg, an ankle and an arcuate foot, the leg extending from thecontact housing, the ankle extending at a first angle from the leg, andthe arcuate foot extending at a second angle from the ankle, at leasttwo portions of the arcuate foot are configured to contact one of theplurality of electrical contact rings, wherein the first angle isbetween about 150° and about 175°, and wherein the second angle isbetween about 10° and about 60°.
 7. The adapter assembly according toclaim 6, wherein the arcuate foot includes a radius of curvature that isone of less than and equal to a radius of curvature of the plurality ofelectrical contact rings.
 8. The adapter assembly according to claim 1,wherein each electrical contact of the distal electrical assemblyincludes a leg, two feet extending from the leg in an oppositedirections, and a flexible contact extending between the two feet, atleast a portion of the flexible contact is configured to contact one ofthe plurality of electrical contact rings.
 9. The adapter assemblyaccording to claim 8, wherein the flexible contact is movable withrespect to at least one foot.
 10. The adapter assembly according toclaim 1, wherein each electrical contact of the distal electricalassembly includes a leg and a ring, the leg extending from the contacthousing, the ring extending from the leg, the ring configured to contactone of the plurality of electrical contact rings in an arc of greaterthan 180°.
 11. The adapter assembly according to claim 10, wherein thering forms between about 180° and about 360° of a circle.
 12. Theadapter assembly according to claim 1, wherein the contact housingincludes a proximal leg configured to engage a proximal-most edge of theslip ring, and a distal leg configured to engage a distal-most edge ofthe slip ring.
 13. The adapter assembly according to claim 12, whereineach leg of the contact housing includes a stepped portion, at leastpart of the stepped portion configured to engage a radially-outermostportion of the slip ring.
 14. The adapter assembly according to claim 1,wherein the distal electrical assembly further includes a guideconfigured to help maintain a position of the contact housing withrespect to the slip ring.
 15. The adapter assembly according to claim14, wherein the guide is configured to help maintain a longitudinalposition and a radial position of the contact housing with respect tothe slip ring.
 16. The adapter assembly according to claim 14, whereinthe guide includes an opening for receiving at least a portion of thecontact housing therein, and wherein the guide includes a flexiblemember for extending between a pair of projections of the contacthousing and for abutting a radially-outer surface of at least one of theprojections of the contact housing.
 17. The adapter assembly accordingto claim 14, wherein the guide includes an opening for receiving atleast a portion of the contact housing therein, and wherein the guideincludes a first post extending adjacent a first portion of the openingfor extending between a pair of projections of the contact housing. 18.The adapter assembly according to claim 17, wherein the guide includes asecond post extending adjacent a second portion of the opening forengaging a portion of the contact housing, the first portion and thesecond portion being on opposite sides of the opening.
 19. The adapterassembly according to claim 14, wherein the guide includes an openingfor receiving at least a portion of the contact housing therein, whereinthe contact housing includes at least one projection, and wherein theguide includes at least one flexible tab for engaging a radially-outersurface of the at least one projection of the contact housing.
 20. Theadapter assembly according to claim 14, wherein the guide includes anopening for receiving at least a portion of the contact housing therein,wherein the contact housing includes at least two projections, andwherein the guide includes at least two flexible tabs, each flexible tabconfigured for engaging a radially-outer surface of one of the at leasttwo projections of the contact housing.